Folk singers to perform at New Durham Public Library

Tuesday

Oct 9, 2012 at 3:15 AMOct 9, 2012 at 12:20 PM

Reader Submitted News by Cathy Allyn

NEW DURHAM – Put on your toe-tappin' shoes, warm up your voice, and head to the New Durham Public Library on Thursday, Oct. 18, at 7 p.m. for an evening of listening pleasure and join-in warbling of “the good old songs.”

“Jackie and Gary carry on the tradition of American folk music, the kind that appeals to all ages,” Library Director Max Wirestone said. “When I heard they were going to be in New Hampshire this month, I knew this was a program we wanted to offer our patrons.”

The duo of Jackie and Gary is made up of Jackie Davidson and Gary Brandt, musicians who love entertaining, telling stories, and singing folk songs.

Davidson began her music career in her teens as a church organist, but after college she joined a trio that eventually became the New Christy Minstrels. An enormously popular, Grammy Award winning group, the three performers became regulars on “The Andy Williams Show” where they sang with the likes of Sammy Davis Jr, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Kate Smith, and Carol Channing.

When not in the television studio, the New Christy Minstrels performed at the White House, Carnegie Hall and the Hollywood Bowl.

After several years, Davidson and another member broke off to form their own group that went on to make 173 television appearances in two years as Jackie and Gayle. Regulars on Shindig and the John Davidson Kraft Summer Music Hall, they were also frequent guests on Hullabaloo, the Red Skelton Show, and The Tonight Show.

Following five years with a re-united New Christy Minstrels, Davidson made the decision to tour the country with her banjo and Gary Brandt, performing as Jackie and Gary with their show "Singing The Good Old Songs Again."

Brandt, a retired educator and coach, is a well-known folklorist, singer and songwriter who has composed songs and performances for such venues as TV 2 Detroit, the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and Chysler Omni Arts.

With his 12-string guitar, dog Cooper (who attends most concerts), and a deep love of folk music, he says he is actively pursuing the opportunity to "sing the songs, tell the stories, share the humor, meet the people and have a show in every small town in the country.”

Davidson said the two combine classic and original folk songs into an energetic, entertaining show. Brandt, who stressed the humor in the concert, also noted the large amount of audience interaction and participation.

Wirestone said Jackie and Gary's Website calls “Singing the Good Old Songs Again” a memorable musical experience. “Their testimonials back that up.”

The performance, which is slightly over an hour, is free. Call the library at 859-2201 for more information.